Abstract: The present invention relates to intelligent oil sludge treatment apparatuses and treatment processes. The treatment apparatus includes an integrative device, an oil removal device, a separation device, a sludge collection tank, a dewatering device, a pyrolysis device, an agent tank, a deodorization tower, a crude oil tank, a light oil tank, a separator, a condenser, a desulfurization tower, a clean water tank, a sewage station, and a steam boiler, where an outlet of the integrative device is connected to an inlet of the oil removal device; the oil removal device is configured to remove crude oil from oil slurry; the oil removal machine collects the crude oil to the crude oil tank, discharges stench into the deodorization tower, and discharges the slurry into the separation device; and the separation device is configured to perform a solid-liquid separation operation.

Abstract: A method of managing a liquid solvent inventory in a condensing solvent gravity drainage extraction chamber includes growing the extraction chamber by injecting a solvent vapour under conditions which cause at least a portion of the solvent vapour to condense on a hydrocarbon extraction interface at a condensation temperature, then accumulating within the extraction chamber condensed liquid solvent which is draining through the chamber under the influence of gravity, which liquid solvent includes a hydrocarbon rich fluid production layer which is proximal to said extraction interface, and then heating a portion of the extraction chamber from a location near, in and/or above the injector to create a heated zone having a temperature above the condensation temperature without heating the hydrocarbon rich production layer to permit the hydrocarbon rich production layer to continue to drain to a production well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a chemical reaction which creates a product, wherein at least one reactant that is present in a liquid phase is subjected to a pressure change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing and recovering oil from wellbore cuttings is provided. Oil-contaminated solids are transported through two or more solvent baths on vibrating conveyors and contacted with solvent flowing countercurrent to the direction of transport of the oil-contaminated solids through the baths such that oil contaminant is separated from the solids.

Abstract: A coal tar process is described. A coal tar stream is provided, and the coal tar stream is separated to provide a plurality of hydrocarbon streams. At least one of the hydrocarbon streams is hydroprocessed in a fluidized bed hydroprocessing zone with a catalyst to provide a gaseous volatile product and a solid heavy hydrocarbon product absorbed onto the catalyst. The gaseous volatile product is separated from the catalyst. The catalyst is regenerating by separating the absorbed heavy hydrocarbon product from the catalyst. The regenerated catalyst is recycled into the hydroprocessing zone.

Abstract: A process for removing at least one contaminant from coal tar is described. The process involves extraction with an extraction agent or adsorption with an adsorbent. The extraction agent includes at least one of amphiphilic block copolymers, inclusion complexes of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyclodextrins, functionalized cyclodextrins, and cyclodextrin-functionalized polymers, and the adsorbent includes exfoliated graphite oxide, thermally exfoliated graphite oxide or intercalated graphite compounds.

Abstract: A coal processing method includes adding coal powder, water and catalyst into a series of tandem reactors and processing therein, wherein the coal powder, water and catalyst are added into the first reactor of the series of tandem reactors; and the temperature and pressure of the series reactors is alternatively arranged in sub-critical state and supercritical state of water from the first reactor, the total product from the previous reactor is used as the feed of the next reactor without any further separation.

Abstract: The process and apparatus are for removing a solute from a solute-bearing solid product by means of a solvent which remains in liquid state throughout the entire oil extraction process. In one embodiment, the solvent is normally in gaseous state at ambient temperature and pressure values, but is used mainly in liquid state within the method and apparatus of the present invention by maintaining such pressure and temperature values within the apparatus so that the solvent will remain in this liquid state.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: Methods for extracting bitumen from bituminous material through the use of a polar solvent. The method may include a primary leaching or extraction process that separates most of the bitumen from a material comprising bitumen and produces first solvent-wet tailings. A polar solvent is added to the first solvent-wet tailings in order to remove the first solvent (plus any entrained bitumen) from the tailings. A mixture of polar solvent and first solvent produced by the addition of the polar solvent to the first solvent-wet tailings may be phase separated by maintaining the polar solvent-first solvent mixture for a period of time. Alternatively, the polar solvent and first solvent may leave the tailings in a phase separated state. Phase separation may occur due to the presence of water in the polar solvent-first solvent mixture. Water may also be added to the mixture of solvents to serve as an antisolvent and initiate phase separation. The separated solvents may then be recovered and reused in the method.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transformation process in which the conversion of charge materials to a product takes place along a transformation interface from the crystal and/or grain and/or phase and/or pore surface into the charge material, wherein one or more chemical elements in the charge materials is released and/or incorporated and/or rearranged and wherein the conversion of the charge materials takes place along advancing transformation interfaces. The charge materials are identified on the basis of at least one optical, in particular microscopic, analysis with respect to their phases and/or phase components and/or their phase morphology, structure, texture and/or their chemical composition. On the basis of these variables, reference functions for the charge materials, which describe the conversion of the charge materials in the process, are assigned and used for establishing the process parameters of the transformation process.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one analogue ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the analogue ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coal liquefaction system for utilizing a hydrogenated vegetable oil to liquefy coal. The system includes a reactor for exposing a coal to a hydrogenated vegetable oil in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, a heater that elevates the temperature of the slurry in the reactor to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and a centrifuge that separates the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing. The system may also include a distillation column that distills the de-ashed coal extract to obtain a pitch. The system may also include a coker that cokes at least one of the de-ashed coal extract and the pitch to obtain a coke.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a rubber material. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a rubber material in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a pipeline crude oil. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a pipeline crude oil to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: A process of solubilizing organic solids that includes reacting an organic solid with an oxidant in superheated water to form a solubilized organic solute. Preferably, the organic solid is selected from the group consisting of coal, lignite, kerogen, biomass, solid organic wastes, and mixtures thereof. The oxidant preferably is molecular oxygen.

Abstract: A method for treating an organic waste, in which the organic waste is pressurized and continuously supplied to a high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus to produce a slurried material by blowing steam into the organic waste to cause a reaction while heating, pressurizing and agitating. The slurried material is dehydrated to produce a separated liquid product and a separated solid product. The separated solid product includes sufficient combustible content to produce a fuel product. The separated liquid product is purified.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for coal liquefaction using a hydrogenated vegetable oil. A method of obtaining a de-ashed coal extract includes exposing a coal to a hydrogenated vegetable oil in the presence of a coal-derived solvent to form a slurry, elevating the temperature of the slurry to facilitate liquefying the coal and liberating a volatile matter, and separating the insoluble components from the slurry to obtain a de-ashed coal extract, wherein the coal extract is suitable for downstream processing.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products from waste tailings of a froth flotation unit and a paraffinic froth treatment process are provided. Bitumen and asphaltenes from the waste tailings are extracted using a serial addition of an aromatic solvent, followed by a polar-non-polar solvent. The method and system divert valuable hydrocarbons from tailings ponds. The hydrocarbon product can be used as a coating material or an emulsion fuel, for example.

Abstract: A continuous reaction system is provided, which specifically relates to a continuous reaction system comprising subcritical and/or supercritical liquid as solvents and a reactant as solid. The invention can effectively prevent cavitations in the reaction system effectively, and realize maximum conversion of the solid reactant material.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for production of coal derived oils from a mixture of pulverized coal and a coal solvent in predetermined proportions, which when agitated produces a substantially ash-free coal slurry liquid. Subsequently the coal slurry liquid is heat treated in a fractionator to produce predetermined products, and a portion of the resultant coal solvent is recovered and recycled to produce coal derived oils.

Abstract: A method of extracting bitumen from bituminous material. In some embodiments, the method may include loading a bitumen material in a column, followed by feeding a first quantity of solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting the bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column. A quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent may then be fed into the column. In some embodiments, the method may include simultaneously loading bitumen material and a solvent in a column, followed by feeding additional solvent into the column. The method may also include collecting bitumen-enriched solvent exiting the column, and feeding a quantity of the bitumen-enriched solvent into the column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering oil from oil-containing sorbents, such as drill cuttings obtained from drilling with an oil-based mud. The method includes peptizing the substrate with an acid reagent and direct thermal desorption with combustion effluent gases at high temperature under turbulent mixing conditions. Another method disclosed includes upgrading the oil in the substrate to improve one or more of the properties of the recovered oil relative to the oil in the substrate, such as, lower aromatics content, lower sulfur content, lower functional group content, higher saturates, higher viscosity, higher viscosity index, and any combination thereof. The apparatus provides for efficient recovery of oil from the substrate with a short residence time, high throughput, low residual oil content in the treated solids and/or high percentage of oil recovery. The apparatus may be transported to a remote location for on-site treatment of drill cuttings or other oil-containing solids.

Abstract: This is directed to a novel chemical mixture process resulting in the production of an inorganic polymeric water complex with enhanced surface acting agent characteristic derived from the synergistic effects caused by individual chemical mechanisms within the mixture that is capable of separating, extracting and recovering hydrocarbons from tar/oil sands, oil shale, petroleum tailings or other types of terra based hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for increasing the bitumen extraction efficiency in the hot water oil sands extraction process. A volume of gaseous carbon dioxide is added into the oil sands slurry that is being transported through a hydrotransport pipeline from the oil sands mining site to the bitumen extraction plant at a position where the oil sands has been conditioned to a desired degree. Carbon dioxide is injected into the slurry under elevated pressure through a gas distribution device while the hydraulic pressure in the pipeline is maintained at an elevated pressure. After the carbon dioxide-bearing oil sands slurry is fed into the separation vessel, a part of the carbon dioxide is recovered for reinjection.

Abstract: A process for separating bitumen from bitumen ore material includes extracting bitumen with a hydrocarbon solvent to produce a bitumen-enriched solvent phase and tailings. The tailings are dried or stripped in a dryer to remove any remaining hydrocarbon solvent. The amount of solvent discharged in the tailings may be less than 4 bbl per 1000 bbl of recovered bitumen.

Abstract: In treatment equipment of organic waste provided with a high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus to produce a slurried material by conducting the high temperature and high pressure treatment of the organic waste, a dehydration treatment apparatus to recover the dehydrated solid matter by conducting the dehydration treatment of the slurried material and a water treatment apparatus to conduct the purification treatment of a separated liquid separated by the dehydration treatment apparatus, the treatment equipment of organic waste is characterized by having a crusher to crush said organic waste before conducting the high pressure and temperature treatment and providing to said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus a steam blowing means to blow steam into the organic waste in said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus, wherein said high temperature and pressure treatment apparatus is formed as a continuous reaction tank to which the organic waste is continuously supplied and to wh

Abstract: Modified resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These modified resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants in the beneficiation of many types of materials (e.g., mineral and metal ores), including the beneficiation of impure coal comprising clay impurities, as well as in the separation of valuable bitumen from solid contaminants such as sand. The modified resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to facilitate the removal of solid particulates, as well as the removal of metallic ions in the purification of water. The modified resins comprise a base resin that is modified with a coupling agent, which is highly selective for binding to solid contaminants and especially siliceous materials such as sand or clay.

Abstract: Modified resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These modified resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants in the beneficiation of many types of materials (e.g., mineral and metal ores), including the beneficiation of impure coal comprising clay impurities, as well as in the separation of valuable bitumen from solid contaminants such as sand. The modified resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water. The modified resins comprise a base resin that is modified with a coupling agent, which is highly selective for binding to solid contaminants and especially siliceous materials such as sand or clay.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil, hydrogen, and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is separated internally, within one of more of the reactors, to separate only the converted oil and hydrogen into a vapor product while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor as a liquid product. A portion of the unconverted oil is then converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons in the next reactor, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, hydrogen, converted oil, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.

Abstract: Systems, methods and compositions for the separation and recovery of hydrocarbons from particulate matter are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method includes contacting particulate matter with at least one ionic liquid. The particulate matter contains at least one hydrocarbon and at least one solid particulate. When the particulate matter is contacted with the ionic liquid, the hydrocarbon dissociates from the solid particulate to form a multiphase system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion process additive and related processes, such as upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon material and making sponge coke. The hydrocarbon conversion process additive works with thermal processes, catalytic processes, or thermal-catalytic processes. The hydrocarbon process conversion additive includes lignin or macromolecular substructures of lignin like para-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, or sinapyl alcohol.

Abstract: Heavy hydrocarbons are upgraded more efficiently to lighter, more valuable, hydrocarbons with lower amounts of solid carbonaceous by-products in supercritical water using two heating stages, the first stage at a temperature up to about 775K and the second stage at a temperature from about 870K to about 1075K. The temperature is preferably raised from the first temperature to the second temperature by internal combustion using oxygen.

Abstract: A system and process for concentrating hydrocarbons in a bitumen feed comprising bitumen, water and solids. The system comprises an inclined plate separator, a hydrocarbon cyclone and a centrifuge. The inclined plate separator separates the bitumen feed into a first overflow stream and a first underflow stream, the first overflow stream having a first bitumen concentration greater than that of the first underflow stream. The hydrocarbon cyclone separates the first underflow stream into a second overflow stream and a second underflow stream. The centrifuge separates the second overflow stream into a third overflow stream and a third underflow stream, the third overflow stream having a third bitumen concentration that is greater than that of the third underflow stream.

Abstract: A method of treating a coal-derived liquid byproduct from a coal gasification process includes subjecting the coal-derived liquid to a vacuum distillation process, thereby separating the coal-derived liquid into condensed gas and coal-derived liquid bottoms. The coal-derived liquid bottoms are mixed with a bottoms solvent capable of dissolving the coal-derived liquid bottoms. The solvent/bottoms mixture is introduced along with a linear chain hydrocarbon solvent into a liquid extractor. The Raffinate is separated from the solvent for the coal-derived liquid/bottoms mixture, thereby producing a heavy extract. The condensed gas is subjected to atmospheric distillation producing a bottoms fraction and another condensed fraction. The bottoms fraction may be used as fuel or for diesel fuel production. The condensed fraction is extracted with a linear hydrocarbon solvent in an extractor to produce light neutral oil and a Raffinate which is a cresylic acid feed stock.

Abstract: A method of producing ashless coal used in caking coal for coke for iron making includes a slurry preparation step (S1) of mixing a solvent with coal to prepare a slurry; an extraction step (S2) of extracting the slurry obtained in the slurry preparation step (S1) at a temperature in the range of 400° C. to 420° C. for 20 minutes or less, and then cooling the slurry to 370° C. or lower; a separation step (S3) of separating the slurry obtained in the extraction step (S2) into a liquid portion and a non-liquid portion; and an improved-coal-obtaining step (S4) of separating the solvent from the liquid portion separated in the separation step (S3) to obtain ashless coal which is improved coal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring degradation of lubricating oils. The method comprises steps of: (a) adding to a lubricating oil at least one compound having formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 independently are hydrogen, hydroxy, OR11, amino or NR11R12; R3 and R5 independently are alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl or heterocyclic; R4 and R6 independently are hydrogen or alkyl; R7, R8, R9 and R10 independently are cyano, nitro, amide, carboxyl, ester, alkyl or hydrogen; R11 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroalkyl, heterocyclic or alkanoyl; R12 is hydrogen or alkyl; provided that said at least one compound of formula (I) has at least one substituent selected from among cyano, nitro, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, amide, carboxyl, ester and unsaturated alkyl; and (b) measuring a spectroscopic property of the oil to determine degradation of said at least one compound.

Abstract: The invention provides the activation, refining and stabilization of oil shale. The stabilization may be performed by recirculative extraction, the activation by electromagnetic irradiation, steam, or by an inorganic base, and the refining by ion beam irradiation. The thus processed oil shale may be used to adsorb organic and inorganic contaminants from a variety of materials include materials of vegetable origin.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the treatment of product streams from mineral processing operations, including the treatment of tailings which result from oil sand processing operations. The processes and apparatus relate to the recovery of a diluent solvent from bitumen froth tailings and to the thickening of tailings from a bitumen froth stream and a middlings stream resulting from an oil sand extraction process. In one aspect the processes and apparatus relate particularly to the recycling of product streams to maximize process efficiencies. In a second aspect the processes and apparatus relate particularly to the thickening of tailings to produce an underflow component, a clarified overflow component and an unclarified overflow component.

Abstract: A method for chemically-upgrading shale-bound kerogen comprises contacting shale-bound kerogen comprising carbon-carbon double bonds with a quantity of alkene species in the presence of an olefin metathesis catalyst. A catalyzed metathetical reaction occurs between the shale-bound kerogen and the alkene species and smaller kerogen-derived molecular species are formed. The smaller kerogen-derived molecular species are recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating bitumen from a bitumen froth output of a oil sands hot water extraction process comprises an inclined plate separator (IPS) for providing a first bitumen separation stage and a cyclone for providing a second bitumen separation stage. The cyclone overflow is recycled to the IPS inlet.

Abstract: Discloses apparatus to perform a process to remove water and minerals from a bitumen froth output of a oil sands hot water extraction process. A bitumen froth feed stream is diluted with a solvent and supplied to a primary inclined plate separator stage, which separates the bitumen into an overflow stream providing a bitumen product output from the circuit and a bitumen depleted underflow stream. A primary cyclone state, a secondary inclined plate separator stage and a secondary cyclone stage further process the underflow stream to produce a secondary bitumen recovery product stream and a recycle stream. The secondary bitumen recovery product stream is incorporated into and becomes part of the circuit bitumen product output stream. The recycle stream is incorporated into the bitumen froth feed stream for reprocessing by the circuit.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a new residuum full hydroconversion slurry reactor system that allows the catalyst, unconverted oil and converted oil to circulate in a continuous mixture throughout an entire reactor with no confinement of the mixture. The mixture is partially separated in between the reactors to remove only the products and hydrogen gas, while permitting the unconverted oil and the slurry catalyst to continue on into the next sequential reactor. A portion of the unconverted oil is then converted to lower boiling point hydrocarbons, once again creating a mixture of unconverted oil, products, hydrogen, and slurry catalyst. Further hydroprocessing may occur in additional reactors, fully converting the oil. Additional oil may be added at the interstage feed inlet, possibly in combination with slurry. The oil may alternately be partially converted, leaving a highly concentrated catalyst in unconverted oil which can be recycled directly to the first reactor.

Abstract: The process and apparatus are for removing a solute from a solute-bearing solid product by means of a solvent which remains in liquid state throughout the entire oil extraction process. In one embodiment, the solvent is normally in gazeous state at ambient temperature and pressure values, but is used mainly in liquid state within the method and apparatus of the present invention by maintaining such pressure and temperature values within the apparatus so that the solvent will remain in this liquid state.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-stage process for the treatment of organic waste comprising drying said waste to reduce the water content to below 15%; subjecting said dried waste to a thermochemical liquefaction process in the presence of a recirculating solvent medium at a temperature of about 275° C. to 375° C. and a pressure of up to 10 atmospheres, thereby obtaining gaseous, liquid and solid products; separating the formed slurry product from condensable gas, water and other liquid fractions boiling out at up to 250° C.; transferring said slurry product obtained from thermal extraction from step c to a pyrolysis apparatus and treating the same at a temperature of about 350° C. to 500° C.

Abstract: A process for converting oil shale into petroleum is disclosed. The process includes the steps of pulverizing oil shale to produce pulverized oil shale and then preparing a mixture of pulverized oil shale, water and ethyl alcohol in a sealed vessel. The mixture in the sealed vessel is then heated to a temperature of at least about 465° F. for a period of time which is sufficient to cause the oil shale and ethyl alcohol to combine to produce a second mixture of petroleum and water. The water is then separated from the petroleum.